Rockingham diver tests out new Weldcraft Pro

Mr Shannon, who works at Indianic Diving Services, undertook the course under the guidance of Arc Training Solutions owner Jamie Harwick.

Commercial diving has taken Mr Hardwick to some spectacular places, from off-shore oil rigs in China, where he was surrounded by beautiful marine life, to crocodile-infested waters in the Northern Territory.

But others, he says, were less than glamorous.

“One of my first jobs was diving in human excrement at a waste treatment plant in the UK,” he said.

“I thought at the time I had to take the good with the bad.

“I’ve been blown up, squashed, I’ve run out of air and seen friends lose body parts, but I would not change it for the world.”

Mr Hardwick’s expertise has been used in a range of underwater jobs, largely based around shoring up harbours, jetties, slipways, ships, bridges and oil and gas platforms.

Mr Hardwick arrived in Perth in 2010 and began working as a casual for various inshore diving companies.

These days he works with best friend Philip Moore as partners at Arc Training Solutions, a business offering industry training to local and international subsea companies and individuals.

The on-site underwater welding course for commercial divers using the Weldcraft Pro is one of the courses offered.

“No courses will guarantee you work as a diver, but courses do show employers that you’re equipped with the skills and knowledge they require and will make you more employable than the next diver,” Mr Hardwick said.